The subject of making arrows for the modern compound bow is vast, to the point where it will make the head of any novice archer turn.
Making your arrows is easy and exciting, not to mention the satisfaction you get from playing with arrows you make yourself. We don’t desire to trouble you with this. We only want to teach you how to make quick, learned choices that will stimulate you to start building your compound arrow as quickly as possible without spending weeks researching the topic.
However, anyone can do it and do it well. Prepared with just a few essential tools as well as the information offered here, you will have no problem turning an arrow shaft into a high-quality hunting arrow.
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How to Make your Arrows for the Compound Bow
If you are making your arrow from scratch, here is a list of everything you will need, from cutting it to fletching.
- Arrow Saw
- Arrow Inspector/Spinner
- Arrow Squaring Tool
- Inserts
- Insert Adhesive [Epoxy]
- Arrow Wraps [if desired]
- Vanes
- Arrow Adhesive [Glue]
- Fletching Jig
- Acetone
- Q-Tips
This is because it is possible to make your arrow 20% better than improving it in a technique that is even better than 2% Easy.
Cut the arrow to length.
Chances are, if you’re making your arrows, you’ve probably landed on some of your old arrows. The easiest thing to do is measure one of your old arrows and use the size to measure your new one’s length.
However, if you desire to start from the beginning and use special lengths of arrows, you must draw your bow along the full length, draw and get someone else to help you mark where you want to cut. The best recommendation is to mark the arrow 1 1/2 ″ to 2 1/2 ″ past where the arrow sits on the rest.
If you go too far with your arrow, it can weaken the spine and affect your accuracy. If you cut it too short, you risk knocking your rest when you wear your broad heads. If you would like to be sure, purchase a moisture meter and hang around for readout of 11 or 12 percent.
Now that you have your arrow length goes to the arrow saw, and don’t forget to use eye protection when operating it.
Now take your arrow and place it on the opposite side of the wood with the holder along the wooden end. Then take the Allen wrench, and adjust the holder so that the wooden blade is at the spot that was previously marked for cutting.
Once the holder is tightened, you are ready to cut. Turn on the saw, put the nock end of the arrow back into the holder, gradually move your arrow in the direction near the saw, and as the saw is cutting the arrow, ensure that you spin the arrow so the saw can craft a level cut on the shaft.
Square and clean your Arrow Shaft
Once you have cut the arrow to length, it is important to make sure that both ends are completely flush. If the end of the arrow shaft is not completely square, it can affect both the accuracy and the ability of the light-up nozzle if you use it.
All you have to do is take out the nock from the arrow, mark the last part of the shaft with a marker (preferably a metal color) and then use your squaring tool until you see no color left. After that, it’s time to clean the carbon from the inside of the shaft end.
Any excess carbon must adhere properly to the inside of your adhesive shaft. To accomplish this, acquire a Q-tip, make use of either acetone or water, and make a few swabs on both ends of the shaft. You will see black carbon appearing on the Q-tip, be sure to clean it until there is no carbon left.
Gluing the insert
Almost any time you buy a new, unusable arrow, inserts and some adhesive will be included. In general, included inserts are made of lightweight aluminum, so depending on your arrow FOC goals, you may need to purchase heavier inserts. And if no glue is included with your arrow, you can use any 2-part epoxy from your local department store.
Once you get the insertion you want, then mix the epoxy on a paper plate or a piece of cardboard. Then take your insert, dip its back end into the epoxy, and place it in the arrow shaft.
Be sure to stick the insert into the shaft to make sure you cover the entire part of the insert inside the arrow—clean any excess epoxy that is still visible around the insert of the end after insertion.
How to Install Arrow Wrap
There are many benefits to using Arrow Wrap. They allow for better visibility when shooting. You can match your bow’s colors and make it easier when repeating your flashes later on the road.
You desire to clean up the knock end of your shaft through a damp cloth or paper towel by sticking it on your arrow wrap so that it sticks properly.
When wrapping your arrow, it’s best to do it on a surface that gives a bit like a mouse pad or softcover book, rather than a slight surface.
Place the wrap face-down on the surface of your choice, place your arrow over it and draw the end of the shaft from the edge of the wrap. Push the arrow into the wrap and rotate it about halfway. Once you have reached the edge of the wrap that is already on the shaft, use your finger to make sure it hangs properly, and then roll the arrow the rest of the way.
Fletching your arrows
There are many different types of vanes and fletching jigs available, and they are all good in their way.
One of the most common fletching jigs is called the Arizona EZ-Fletch. These measures can be applied to any jig and most vanes used for hunting.
There’s nothing worse than fletching a dozen arrows and moving to the range; then, after some rounds, you watch your new vanes coming off your arrows. Almost every type of vanes will probably have a release agent on it, which is the mold used to make the vanes.
Therefore before using any glue, you need to take a primer pen or take a Q-tip with some acetone and clean the part of your vanes where you will put the glue.
Once you have your vanes ready and premium, could you place them in a fletching jig? You can then take your glue and run a thin bead from top to bottom, down to the bottom. After you glue on each vane, close the jig and let it sit for a minute or two.
After a short wait, you can pop the arrow out of the jig, and it’s ready to go!
How to Choose Arrows for Compound
Determine the length of your draw
If you didn’t have a compound bow, you would have to follow the draw length calculation method outlined in this article. This method is surprisingly correct and infrequently delivers an inaccurate outcome. The alternative is to visit an archery shop in your area and measure the length to draw them for you.
Select the arrow length
With the old compound bow, choosing the right length for your arrow was a somewhat complicated process. Thanks to advances in technology and design improvements, things have gotten much easier. You take your draw length and add 0.5 ″ to a maximum of 1 to determine the correct arrow length. If your draw’s length is 28, you should get an arrow with a maximum length of 29.
This will help you achieve to provide you an arrow that will be long enough to clear the arrow shelf’s front. Note that the length of the arrow is measured from the deepest part of the nock groove to the end of the shaft. It does not include your field points or the length of the broadheads.
Choosing arrow weights
The weight of your arrow will vary depending on your objectives:
If you want to target practice
You need an arrow weighing a total of 5 to 6 grains (shaft, vane, insert, knock, and field point joint) per pound of draw weight; therefore, if your bow possesses 60 lbs of the draw, you want to use an arrow that weighs between 300 grains and 360 grains.
A weight difference of 20% is not uncommon even when the shaft is in the same spine range.
If you want to hunt
It would help if you had an arrow with a total weight of 6 to 8 grains per pound of draw weight. So again, in one case, 60 lbs. Draw a compound bow. This will mean between 360 and 480 grains of arrow weight.
However, the above values are not set in stone. The only thing you can never do is use an arrow weighing less than 5 grains per pound of draw weight, as this will severely damage your bow by revoking your manufacturer’s warranty.
How to Make your Arrows for the Compound Bow: FAQs
Is it cheaper to make your arrow?
In the long run, it is cheaper to buy materials and make your own. It depends on the shaft material, and it can cost around $ 75 and can be as high as $ 250 for a dozen.
Can you make your arrows?
Yes, you can. Producing your arrows helps you save about 5 to 10 bucks for each dozen, but there is a better reason to make your own. You can experiment with all the components with different flaking styles and shaft sizes until you find the perfect arrow as you deemed it necessary.
Why do I need to fletch your arrows?
To fletch the arrow, you will need:
Plastic Vanes: Make sure they are all the same shape and size.
- Arrow shaft
- Fletching glue
- Fletching jig
- Paper towels
- Pencil
Conclusion
Making your arrows can be so much fun and rewarding, not to mention saving a few bucks.
And after doing this a few times, you will have less of a process and even throw in some of your steps based on experience.
